The nightlife

The nightlife of Springfield and surrounding communities is diverse and robust. Blues, folk, jazz, rock, country, hip-hop, dance music, open mics and karaoke are all well represented on any given night in central Illinois and the capital city. Solid local acts playing original and cover material mix with national touring bands on the road from St. Louis to Chicago or between Indianapolis and Kansas City to create a fertile atmosphere for vibrant entertainment. 

The blues are alive and well in Springfield, influenced by the city’s proximity to Chicago, one of the world’s great blues music cities. Every Monday night starting around 8 p.m., the Illinois Central Blues Club sponsors a different band and an open jam at the Alamo (115 N. Fifth St.). Local, regional and national acts have enlivened this wonderful music experience during the 20-plus years of Blue Mondays. Watch for special blues events regularly sponsored by the active ICBC at different venues in town, such as at Casey’s Pub, housed in the VFW Post 755 (221 Old Jacksonville Road).

Jazz in all its varied forms is represented at several nightclubs and restaurants. Robbie’s (4 S. Old State Capitol Plaza) hosts a different local group each Friday, 5:30-7:30 p.m., at Uptown Friday Night, sponsored by the Springfield Area Arts Council. On the near west side of town, the Lime Street Cafe (951 S. Durkin Dr.) delivers jazz musicians with an occasional foray into classic rock ’n’ roll. 

For those wanting to rock out, head for these venues and their specialties. Local, regional and national touring acts take the stage weekly at Boondocks (2909 N. Dirksen) and Homespun Republic (107 W. Cook). At Marly’s Pub (9 W. Old State Capitol Plaza) and Bar None (427 E. Monroe) you’ll find a variety of acts that run the gamut of rock music from singer/songwriter types and indie-rock bands to classic combos and original music touring groups. These clubs, just over a block apart, also host open mics, weekly hip-hop acts and other events, keeping live music on the stage many nights a week.

Look for much-appreciated local bands and musicians of all flavors, including rock, bluegrass, blues, country and popular music at Boone’s Saloon (301 W. Edwards), The Tin Can Pub (225 E. Monroe), The Burger Bar (2765 S. Sixth), Curve Inn (3219 S. Sixth), Charlie R’s Steak House (2442 S. Sixth), George Ranks (1800 S. Sixth St.), Guitars and Cadillacs Saloon (2724 Peoria Road), Thirdbase Sports Bar (410 Maple Ave.), Trading Post Saloon (731 S. Durkin Dr.), Butternut Hut (215 N. Second), The Forty-Niner (518 Bruns Lane), Koo Koo’s Nest (3045 E. Sangamon Ave.), Blue Grouch (510 W. Maple), Harry’s Adult Daycare (320 W. Highland), Capital City Bar and Grill (3149 S. Dirksen Parkway), Crows Mill Pub (1220 Toronto Road), Fire and Ale (135 Illini Blvd.), Julia’s Kitchen and Lounge (107 W. Cook), Long Bridge Golf Club Clubhouse (1055 Camp Sangamo Road), Mama Lee’s Sandbar (6111 Mechanicsburg Road), Black Sheep Café (1320 S. 11th St.), Brookhills Golf Club (5350 Old Jacksonville Road) and Craft Beer Bar (430 Monroe St.).

Two local wineries and a specialty wine shop also offer musical entertainment weekly. Walnut Street Winery (309 S. Walnut St., Rochester) hosts open mics, acoustical acts and the occasional regional musicians. Hill Prairie Winery (RR 1, Oakford) has a band every Sunday afternoon and a couple fun festivals throughout the year. It’s All About Wine (1305 Wabash Ave.), a specialty wine shop, hosts live music on Saturday evenings from 7-10 p.m.

If laughter is what you’re after, look no further than the Donnie B’s Comedy Club (625 E. Saint Joseph St. in the Route 66 Hotel and Convention Center) or head north of town to the Mason City Limits Comedy Club (114 E. Chestnut, Mason City). Both clubs feature nationally known touring comedians every Friday and Saturday night, with occasional open stages for the aspiring comic.

Fortunately, no matter what night of the week you develop the urge to sing your heart out in front of a crowd, karaoke machines and competent hosts await your command at The Curve Inn (3219 S. Sixth), Koo Koo’s Nest (3045 E. Sangamon Ave.), Sluggo’s (2660 W. Lawrence), Northern Lights Lounge (500 N. Dirksen Pkwy), Boone’s Saloon (301 W. Edwards), The Burger Bar (2765 S. Sixth), George Ranks (1800 S. Sixth St.) and Crows Mill Pub (1220 Toronto Road). If you prefer your public performance with instrument in hand, check out the popular open mics all around town including Trail’s End Saloon (Rt. 54, Curran), Blue Grouch Pub (510 W. Maple), Coonrod’s Bar (1035 N. MacArthur Blvd), Marly’s Pub (9 W. Old State Capitol Plaza) and Weebles (4136 N. Peoria Road). Bar None (427 E. Monroe) hosts the areas’ only hip-hop open mic night, Torch Tuesdays, every Tuesday.

Care to put on your dancing shoes, find a DJ and shake your booty all night long? You’ll find contemporary Top 40 and other recorded-music delights at Lucid Bar and Nightclub (11 W. Old State Capitol Plaza) and Marly’s Pub (9 W. Old State Capitol Plaza). Alternative beats and lifestyles fill the dance floor at the Club Station House (306 E. Washington) and Scandals (411 E. Washington St.). 

For coffee shop-style acoustic musings during the summer, visit evenings at Andiamo! (204 S. Sixth). For Irish-flavored tunes, head out to Celtic Mist Pub (117 S. Seventh St.) where you’ll find live music fairly regularly with some tasty ale and stout. Edgar’s Coffee Shop in Chatham (87 W. Plummer) also plays host to live music, open mics and other performances.

For a complete listing of what’s going on around the capital city, check the arts and entertainment listings in Illinois Times, the city’s free weekly newspaper, which also publishes Capital City Visitor. Look for the numerous IT newsstands throughout downtown, as well as at area hotels, restaurants and government buildings.  

This article appears in Capital City Visitor 2015.